Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Fantastic Four #27!

As the Skrulls in the universe. The alien species are still often portrayed as intergalactic threats, and although the shapeshifting Skrulls have produced other Marvel superheroes, it seems that the Thing’s adopted daughter could help their status evolve in the Marvel Universe.

In the preview for Fantastic Four #27 – written by Ryan North, with art by Steven Cummings – Nicki Masters-Grimm is tired of hearing anti-shapeshifter rhetoric and takes action to make a difference. With Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben preparing for the One World Under Doom crossover event, I never anticipated the team’s four kids having their own adventures.

In a fun scene, Niki helps her brother Jo-Venn, using her powers to impersonate their dad and get him out of trouble at school. Determined to prove that her abilities aren’t inherently bad, the Skrull child embarks on an exciting new quest.

The Thing’s Skrull Daughter Takes The Spotlight In A Surprising New Adventure That Already Has Me Hooked

Fantastic Four #27 – Written By Ryan North; Art By Steven Cummings; Color By Jesus Aburtov; Lettering By VC’s Joe Caramagna

As the latest issue of Fantastic Four officially allows N’Kalla, aka Nicki Masters-Grimm, to lead her own comic adventure, I’m looking forward to the creative team further developing her character and her new mission as a Skrull advocate. N’Kalla and her Kree brother were introduced in 2020’s Empyre crossover event, where they were adopted by the Thing and Alicia Masters after years representing their alien species as child soldiers in a bitter rivalry. Despite their intriguing backstory, the Masters-Grimm kids haven’t made much of an impression on me since their debut, but I think Fantastic Four #27 could change that.

The new issue’s preview shows the discrimination Nicki experiences as a Skrull at school, both in class and on the playground, with shapeshifters being generally portrayed as evil and threatening. When Nicki wants to show the world that being a Skrull doesn’t make her a monster, I’m seriously rooting for her to prove everyone who thinks so wrong. Using her shapeshifting powers to help her fellow children of the Fantastic Four with tasks like renting age-inappropriate movies may not do the trick, but her heart is in the right place, and I’m looking forward to seeing how her advocacy evolves.

Nicki Masters-Grimm Is Determined To Show The World Skrulls Can Be Good Guys Too – And I Think She Can Do It

A New Era For Marvel's Perennial Alien Antagonists

Nicki and Jo-Venn were introduced during Empyre, which finally saw the end to the war between the Kree and Skrulls, and it seems to me that their adopted sibling relationship in the Fantastic Four family is another important step forward for relations between both alien species. The intergalactic conflict was the source of many villainous Skrulls’ evil actions, and the end of the war has mostly seen the end of Skrull-based stories. However, as Nicki sets out to prove that her species doesn’t make her a monster, I’m ready to see her reinvigorate the Skrulls’ standing in the Marvel Universe.

Since they debuted as villains way back in Lee and Kirby’s Fantastic Four #2, and subsequently went on to start a Secret Invasion among other diabolical plots, there have still been a few exciting Skrull characters that went on to become full-fledged Marvel superheroes. Perhaps the most well-known is the Young Avenger, Hulkling, who became Emperor of the Kree and Skrull alliance during Empyre. I believe that Nicki could be the first great Skrull hero in Marvel Comics since Hulkling, perhaps even suring his popularity with her place as the Thing’s daughter and a member of the Fantastic Four family.

I Hope To See More of Marvel’s Expanding First Family As Their Fantastic 2025 Ramps Up

A Major MCU Blockbuster & Comic Crossover Event

The Fantastic Four will have a busy year ahead, with an impending MCU debut and an entire crossover event revolving around their primary antagonist, Doctor Doom. While the family takes over Marvel in 2025, I’d love it if Nicki and the rest of the kids, including Jo-Venn, Franklin, and Valeria, were featured more prominently in their stories. With the Thing specifically set to go through changes that could totally alter the character’s Marvel trajectory, I think it would be really cool and interesting to see his Skrull daughter take on a more active role in their superhero adventures moving forward.

Though I totally didn’t expect the Fantastic Four to put a spotlight on Nicki Masters-Grimm in this way, I’m excited for her to shake up the Marvel Universe as a new hero representing the Skrulls.

The Nicki-centered story in Fantastic Four #27 could change the dynamics of the team, their family, and be the biggest step forward for Skrulls since the end of 2020’s Empyre. As the young girl and daughter of lovable heroes takes action to counteract the discrimination she faces as an alien shapeshifter, I think her quest to change the species’ status quo could be seriously inspiring. Though I totally didn’t expect the Fantastic Four to put a spotlight on Nicki Masters-Grimm in this way, I’m excited for her to shake up the Marvel Universe as a new hero representing the Skrulls.

Fantastic Four #27 will be available December 18, 2024 from Marvel Comics.